Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 493

493. Alliance (2)

January, 1443.

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.

In Duke Pedro of Coimbra’s office, Pedro, Cosimo, and Henrique were seated around a table.

“This is the profit gained from this voyage.”

Pedro nodded as he looked at the ledger Henrique presented.

“You’ve made a great profit again.”

“Yes, the slave trade and commerce in Africa were profitable, but we made significant gains from the goods brought from Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom].”

“Hmm…”

Pedro listened to Henrique’s explanation and examined the ledger again before letting out a long sigh.

“I have no choice. We’ve been running a surplus for three years now, and a very large one at that.”

In the end, Pedro had to wave the white flag to Cosimo.

* * *

He had said he would decide after seeing the results of the first two voyages, but Pedro had been skeptical. That’s why Pedro added another year.

“I will observe the situation for another year!”

‘The Joseon route is very profitable, but the risk is too great because it’s linked to the Ottomans!’

What he considered dangerous was the location of the Ottomans.

Geographically, the Ottomans, occupying the eastern part of the Mediterranean, were steadily encroaching on the Balkan Peninsula.

-If they devour Byzantium, Europe will be next!

The European countries in the western Mediterranean were watching the Ottoman Empire carefully, worrying about this.

Another risk was the internal political problem.

Currently, Pedro’s biggest political rival was his half-brother, Count Afonso of Barcelos. He was using his wealth to win over nobles and had risen to become his greatest adversary.

The recent decision to appoint him as the first Duke of Braganza was an event symbolizing that he had become Pedro’s greatest rival.

Pedro wanted to stop it, but he was pushed back by the nobles’ support and political pressure.

In this situation, aligning with the Ottomans could be like putting his head in a noose.

The countries of Spain and Portugal were born after expelling the Islamic forces from the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal showed a more flexible attitude than Spain, which was fiercely anti-Islamic, but allying with Islam itself was a serious burden.

The force that Pedro trusted was the bourgeoisie [middle class], who had grown based in the Mediterranean and African regions.

To maintain their support, Pedro enacted laws and decrees that benefited them. And this put him at odds with the nobles centered around the Duke of Braganza.

* * *

“Alright. I will join you. However, if the things you promised—those concerning Jerusalem, securing safe passage, and fair distribution of profits—are not properly fulfilled, do not forget that it will mean ruin for both me and you.”

Cosimo placed his right hand on his chest and slightly bowed his head at Pedro’s warning.

“I understand well. I will do my best.”

“Also, until we formally sign an agreement with the Ottomans, I will deny everything.”

“Of course.”

Cosimo, agreeing readily to Pedro’s words, rose from his seat.

“Then, I will take my leave. I have so many people to look for.”

“There are many eyes watching, so I will not escort you.”

“Yes.”

After Cosimo left the room, Pedro stood up and walked to the window.

Watching Cosimo’s carriage disappear under the guard of heavily armed soldiers, Pedro turned to Henrique.

“Do you think it will succeed?”

“Among the words I heard in Joseon, there is a saying, ‘He has mounted a tiger’ [once you start something dangerous, it’s hard to stop]. We are now in a situation where we cannot turn back. From now on, we have no choice but to stay sharp and do our best.”

“That’s right…”

Pedro nodded at Henrique’s words and gnashed his teeth.

“Damn Braganza! A child of a concubine! Damn nobles! Petty people who only think of their own interests! If it weren’t for them, there would be no need to push things forward in secret like this!”

As Pedro vented his anger, Henrique soothed him.

“Now is the time to be patient. Your Highness must secure the bourgeoisie as much as possible. The nobles’ formal attire, the delicacies they eat, and the soldiers guarding their castles and mansions are all paid for by the bourgeoisie. If Your Highness firmly secures the bourgeoisie, the nobles will also yield to you.”

“As long as I guarantee their interests and freedom, they will support me. The problem is that I can guarantee freedom, but the profit is up to you. Are you confident?”

“Leave it to me!”

Henrique answered confidently to Pedro’s question.

* * *

This was not just Henrique’s bravado. In reality, Henrique was confident in guaranteeing profits for the Portuguese bourgeoisie. The trade with Joseon, which started with three ships, had already increased to six, and even now, there were more than one or two ships coming to Suez via Africa.

As the number of ships going to Joseon increased, shipyards in Lisbon and Florence were constantly building ships to fill the empty spaces. And captains and sailors to operate those ships were constantly being hired.

It was natural that a huge amount of money was moving in all of these processes, and the money moving in that way was fattening the Portuguese bourgeoisie.

* * *

Having obtained Pedro’s cooperation, Cosimo returned to Florence immediately.

“Let’s see… Where should I go first?”

Cosimo reviewed the information sent by merchants and secret agents once again.

“I don’t need to go to Habsburg.”

Cosimo first removed the Holy Roman Empire from the list of candidates.

* * *

At the time, the Holy Roman Empire was chaos itself.

After the death of Albrecht II, Friedrich was elected as the King of Germany. It was the birth of Friedrich IV.

However, the situation was not good. Friedrich IV was incapable of uniting and governing the Holy Roman Empire, which was fragmented into numerous autonomous territories and noble domains. As a result, Friedrich IV had to step down from state affairs due to rebellions by Austrian nobles and disputes with German princes. And this further worsened the situation, leading to a power struggle with his younger brother, Albrecht VI.

In this situation, the Holy Roman Empire was in a state where alliances and breakups were commonplace.

* * *

After removing the Holy Roman Empire from the list of candidates, Cosimo muttered while looking at the map.

“Should I go to Morea first? Or should I go to Edirne first?”

Unlike the collapsing Constantinople, Morea was gradually increasing its power and had become the new center of the Eastern Roman Empire. Therefore, Despotes Constantine, the despot who ruled the area, was considered the de facto ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Edirne, another destination, was the capital of the Ottoman Empire, and Murad II was there.

“Which one should I stop first…”

Cosimo pondered back and forth before soon coming to a conclusion.

“It would be natural to visit Edirne first.”

* * *

Having decided on his destination, Cosimo moved on to the next step.

“Spain is a bit of a nuisance. So are Genoa and Venice. Hmm…”

Cosimo, contemplating Genoa, which had become Spain’s source of money, and Venice, Genoa’s rival and his own competitor, began to plot something slyly.

“They already don’t have a good relationship…”

Cosimo thought about the outline of a plan to check Genoa, which was Spain’s source of money, and continued to look at the map.

“Still, Spain is a problem. Hmm…”

Cosimo stared intently at the map and lightly smacked his lips.

“Tch! Should I involve France after all? Those greedy bastards?”

* * *

The Hundred Years’ War between England and France was also coming to an end.

Charles VII was also formally crowned, becoming the King of France, and the Burgundian and Armagnac factions, which had been causing internal strife, made peace in Arras, ending the internal division.

As the internal affairs of France stabilized, the long-running war was slowly coming to an end.

Of course, sporadic battles continued, but envoys from England and France were working hard to negotiate a truce.

* * *

Looking at France on the map, Cosimo summarized the situation.

“When the war ends, the mercenaries will be hungry right away. If we leave these guys alone, they’ll become bandits right away… Hmm…”

Cosimo pondered various scenarios and chuckled.

“Hah! I’ll have to give them a suitable carrot. Spain would be appetizing enough, right? And I’ll have to settle some debt relationships as well…”

Cosimo, having organized how to use France, soon began to draw an overall picture.

“First, I have to stop the Ottoman’s northward advance and prevent Morea from acting recklessly, right? If those guys act up, everything will go wrong. Then, I have to use France to tie up Spain, and in the meantime, Portugal and the Ottomans can take Egypt.”

Cosimo, having drawn such a big picture, stroked his chin.

“It’s been a while since I’ve met the Pope.”

Cosimo, finishing planning his meeting with the Pope, completed the big picture and muttered while staring at Joseon on the map.

“If things go well, no one will care about the ‘western route to Joseon’ for 5 years at the shortest, and 10 years at the longest. And if things go well, I can make a profit for at least 20 years.”

Cosimo was planning a huge war in which many countries would be involved for his own benefit.

* * *

Having drawn a big picture, Cosimo soon began to move quickly.

Using the fastest ship, Cosimo arrived in Edirne and sought out Murad II.

“Sultan, have you finally made a decision?”

“Cosimo de Medici, infidel merchant. Do you really think this will help me?”

“It will be helpful enough.”

Cosimo, at Murad II’s question, presented the ledger he had received from Henrique.

“That is the profit earned using only six ships. If the plan succeeds, we will be able to share tens of times that profit.”

“It’s not just a matter of money.”

Cosimo nodded at Murad II’s point.

“That’s right. That’s why I included Jerusalem. ‘The guardian of Jerusalem, the holy land of all’, ‘A merciful ruler who protects all pilgrims visiting the holy land.’ What could be more glorious than this?”

“Hmm…”

Since it fell into the hands of the Mamluks, Jews and Christians had almost disappeared from Jerusalem. The teachings of Islam spoke of mercy, but the Mamluk leaders had driven them out into the desert.

Therefore, if they acquired Jerusalem and then moderately opened the gates, they would gain enormous political benefits.

* * *

A month later, Murad II’s envoy secretly visited Florence.

The envoy, meeting Cosimo, conveyed Murad II’s will.

“The Sultan told me to tell you that he will join you.”

“I understand.”

As Murad II joined the game, Cosimo smiled brightly and prepared to leave.

“I’m going to Morea!”

* * *

Meanwhile, there were those who were carefully watching Cosimo’s frantic activities.

They were merchants from Genoa, one of Cosimo’s most powerful competitors.

“Florence is suspicious. We need to stay sharp.”